Things to consider Buying a Mini PC/NUC

The name NUC is used by even Bee Keepers for their bee hives.

One should not rush to buy a Mini PC because of the bargain price.

 

There is a bewildering array of Mini Computers.

 

I begin to love the ones with Touch Screen facility.

I am not a gamer and my gaming is restricted to cellphone games.

 

Steam Drive and Dock is an option but one has to pay for each game. 

I supported Steam Drive, since at that time Linux lacked games. 

 

It has changed now and I do not support Steam at all.

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Steam deck cost around $375/= and it cannot be upgraded.

One can make a good gaming computer for $400/=.

 

I already have a NUC and it has 320GB SATA disk with 4 instances of Gnome of Debian.

My priorities go like this.

1. It should be Linux compatible.

I hate Microsoft Windows for many reasons and I have voiced them elsewhere on this blog site.

2. It should not have Windows installed where I can save a lot of dollars up front.

3. It should be under 200 dollars. 

I do not like to waste money. 

I already have a Big PC which is working fine.

4. It should not be bulky and I should be able to carry it abroad in my hand luggage. 

It should not increase the weight of my luggage.

5. It should have at least 8GB RAM.

Mind you the operating system always run on RAM. 

Linux runs well on 8GB and 4GB is the minimum.

 

If one is running Windows ask for at least 32GB RAM.

6. I prefer everything integrated to the motherboard including RAM. 

Low end Mini PC have integrated graphic card.

7. 500GB Mini SATA is enough for me. 

I already have two spare ones which I have collected over time before NVMe came into the market. 

I hate PCIe.

If you have SATA disks already in your attic, see whether the Mini PC can accommodate one.

If not go for NVMe and they come in two sizes one short and one long.

Look for one with two NVMe slots. 

One for the operating system and the other for DATA.

8. If one is a gamer one need a good graphic card.

It could be internal or external.

External is very cumbersome.

 

One can save a lot money by going for a less expensive graphic card. 

 

Depending on the graphic card one need a cooling system.

9. Last point is whether one considers upgrading the system when one's money supply improves.

 

In that case do not buy integrated system.

10. WiFi card is important and one should be able to add wireless mouse and keyboard and a even Touch Screen monitor on top of mini PC.

11. Do not ignore the ports available including Ethernet.

12. If you are simple guy go for Mini PC which has Touch Screen on top. Alternatively one can look for a Mini PC that comes with a compatible separate Touch Screen. 

If you do so, look for a design that had an incline surface or one which is hinged to the top and could be folded.

With so many on the market it not easy to decide which one to buy. 

For me price is the determining factor and no more upgrades in future.